By Philomina Attah

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Friday inaugurated a pedestrian bridge on Airport Road, Abuja, constructed by Dunamis International Gospel Centre as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge was fully funded by the church and completed in four months after approval by the FCT Administration.

Wike commended Dunamis for demonstrating leadership and sacrifice, noting that the church applied for approval since 2018 but only got it in February 2026 under his administration.

“Application was made in 2018. It was in February 2026 when I was reminded. In less than a month you received approval. It means there is a government,” he said.

He said governance and church leadership both require sacrifice, adding that the funds could have been used for other purposes.

“This is corporate social responsibility. Government cannot do everything. There is nowhere government carries out every function,” he said.

The minister said he had approved the church’s request to roof the bridge with transparent cladding and lighting, pledging 50 per cent support from the FCT Administration to encourage usage.

Wike urged residents to use the facility, decrying the apathy of pedestrians toward overhead bridges.

“As it has been constructed by Dunamis as its social responsibility as approved by me, I hereby commission this in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” he declared.

Earlier, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis, Dr Paul Enenche, said the project was motivated by love for God and humanity.

“God is love. To be a messenger of God means to be a messenger of love. Love is about what we give, not what we get,” Enenche said.

“Nobody is remembered for what they accumulated but for what they contributed.

“We may make a living by what we get, but we make a difference by what we give. Our impact is more important than our income,” he said.

He said construction started on June 22, and was completed in four months and one week, describing it as the fastest bridge project the church had undertaken.

He disclosed that the church sought approval to roof the bridge with transparent cladding, lighting and aesthetic cover to encourage compliance.

He thanked the FCT Minister for granting approval.

Enenche said the church had done similar interventions, including roads in Mararaba, Karu and Kubwa, boreholes in Borno, including beside a mosque in Maisandari Ward, and interventions for IDPs and flood victims in Maiduguri.

The Managing Director, Dutum Construction Company Ltd., Mr Temitope Runshewe, said the firm delivered the project through intentional leadership, despite the tight timeline.

“I want this bridge done in four months. Can you do it? I said yes sir, even though my legs were shaking,” Runshewe recalled.

He said the company, a 37-year-old indigenous firm founded by his father, Olatunde Runshewe, had now built five pedestrian bridges in the FCT, including those at Bannex, Sheraton, VIO and Setraco.

In a goodwill message, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, described the bridge as a testament to compassionate action.

“Today is a day of gratitude. Your faith has been backed by compassionate action. This pedestrian crossing will be saving lives daily,” Kingibe said

Also, Dr Sam Ode, Deputy Governor of Benue, said Enenche, who hails from Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state, had demonstrated the positive impact of Christianity through his service to humanity.

Ode commended Wike for his performance in the FCT and urged the administration to reimburse the church to encourage further interventions

The FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Taminu Iliyasu, said Airport Road records high pedestrian crashes and commended the church for the intervention. (NAN)